Teen from Staten Island's South Beach section making his mark in USA Karate

Jonathan Sobolewski poses with his mom, Jolanta, after a recent tournament.

By FARAZ TOOR

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sometimes in a fight, you need to know when to bow out.

Good thing Jonathan Sobolewski has plenty of options before he bows out from his favorite pastime.

The New Dorp High School sophomore has made the USA Karate team two years in a row. He spent the time between Aug. 27 and Sept. 3, in Cancun, Mexico, competing in the Pan American Championships. He placed third in the 70-kg class for 14-15-year-olds in the kumite (sparring) competition on the second day of competition.

"I think I did well, but I think I could have done better," Sobolewski said. "I got tired easier, compared to how to I usually fight."

USA Karate has two distinct types of major championships that are held worldwide — protected (for juniors) and unprotected (for seniors). Protected championships include the World Championships, the Pan American Championships, and the World University Championships. Unprotected competitions include the Karate 1 WKF Premier League, which occurs around the globe. USA Karate, however, doesn't logistically, or financially, support unprotected events.

"Some were better prepared," said Sobolewski when asked about the intensity of the competition in Cancun, "but, when you get to that level, it's equal. You have to try your best, train more, and be luckier."

At the Pan American Championships, USA placed fourth overall, behind Peru, Mexico, and first-place Venezuela. Team USA accrued 27 medals in Cancun — three gold, 11 silver, and 13 bronze — to distinguish itself as one of the top karate nations in North and South America.

The South Beach resident's bronze finish isn't the singular bright spot on his resume, however. He thrives at competitions in the United States.

"Here on the national level, he is one of the best," said Jan Sobolewski, Jonathan's dad and coach for his fights. "He always comes in first or second in the open championships."

Such national success is a proud testament of the 15-year-old's abilities. Karate fights can end in a flash.

Jonathan Sobolewski has made the USA Karate team the past two years.

"Juniors fight for two minutes and score points," said Mr. Sobolewski.

In most major competitions, a punch in the midsection is worth one point, a kick in the mid-section two, and a kick in the head three. The fights are on open mats and have five referees to judge the scoring and fairness of the bouts.

"It's not cage fighting," said Mr. Sobolewski. "A lot of people picture this: Kicking, punching, full power — it's not like that. Kids compete for the score and to win; not to hurt somebody."

Jonathan's karate beginnings aren't outlandish, or out of the ordinary. He signed up for it as a sport, a pastime, not unlike many other kids his age.

"He started when he was 8-years-old," said Mr. Sobolewski. "He was a very energetic kid. He ran around and had a lot of energy, even after he came home from school. Me and my wife wanted to find something to help him lose that energy a bit."

The spirited youngster has come far. Not only will he compete on international levels next year, he can compete in tournaments meant for 17- and 18-year-olds.

"Jonathan has something inside," said his father. "He likes competition."

Not only was Jonathan one of only two American males in his competition to receive a medal at the Pan American Championships, but he fought against the odds just to medal.

"This year when we were in Cancun, he went to the semifinals and lost to a kid from Brazil," said Mr. Sobolewski. "He didn't even have a shot; the referees were on the Brazilian kid's side. He fought that."

Despite his loss in the semifinals, Jonathan won his third-place match, scoring three points in the span of six seconds at the end of the fight to win the bronze.

"He is also very, very fast," said Mr. Sobolewski of what he thinks is his son's best physical trait. "For his age, he's a 10 out of 10 for speed."

Karate doesn't dictate Jonathan's life. At New Dorp HS, he is in the Math and Science Institute, the school's highest honors program.

He understands karate isn't going to fuel his life after high school.

"As of right now, you can't really make money in karate," he said. "Eventually, if karate becomes an Olympic event, then I could."